Date: September 2005

Birmingham City- Home of the Blues, and I don’t mean their shirt color

Sep 30, 2005 by

Currently, Birmingham City fans feel they have little to cheer about. One win in seven matches, it wasn’t supposed to be this way. Forssell was back and Heskey had proved he could score goals. The two were going to bring this club into European competition.The results have just not been there and the the competition has been some of the softest in the league. City look to be a ready target for the Gunners and a sure way to get on track.

As the competition looks to bring out the old 4-5-1 against the Gunners, I don’t see City being much different. The back four will stay flat with the likes of Upson, Melchiot, Cunningham and Clapham. Butt will secure a spot just ahead of them and act as anchor and midfielder/ defenseman. Pennant, Gray and Jarosik should work the counter more towards the wings. Heskey will filter back towards the midfielders and Forssell will surge forward. More like a 4-1-3-1-1.

City have been so disappointing that they have had little air time and only a few television appearances. Against WBA and their only win, 3-2, City kept constant possession. They had a fast pace forward and worked short and long crosses into the 18. Pennant kept the pressure on and it resulted in several goals. All that said, what one plays against WBA is not usually the same as they play against the Gunners. It will be unfortunate because the pace and entertainment value of that match was extraordinary.

City come off last weekends 2-2 draw to Liverpool. Pool looked slow and City looked to be the smarter of the two. Only the grace of the football gods, and the swift parry of an unsuspecting fullback, got Liverpool the point. City will try to build on the knowledge that they can compete against the top 5, and carry that into this match.

I believe that City have the tools to move into the top 10 and fight for a Euro berth. Right now it’s just a matter of chemistry and confidence. The Gunners need to take advantage of this match, at home, and grab all three points. The next time we see City, they should be much improved and far more consistent.

Arsenal 2-0 Birmingham City

Stop panicking

Sep 30, 2005 by

At the moment members of this forum seem to sit in one of two camps; 1. the eternal optimists who refuse to see the danger signs, 2. the doom mongers who think that this time next year Arsenal will only have 3 players left.

Lets try and get some perspective. I foresaw the current state in this team a long time ago. In fact, I was probably the first person on this site to warn that Arsenal were a dead duck in Europe, Wenger was not progressing the team and certain elements of his management left a lot to be desired. Of course, it was about 6 months after Arsenal had their magnificent unbeaten season, so I was roundly ridiculed, and in some cases abused.

Read More …

Inspiring/Cool/Interesting Jersey Names

Sep 29, 2005 by

I made my second pilgrimage to Highbury this summer (I also got to see the new stadium . . . . very nice!).

Unfortunately, I lived in West London (Chelsea territory). You can imagine how I felt on the way back on the train after the game against Chelsea. I had people making fun of me at every stop!

Anyway, while in London, I saw several intersting custom names that people had on the backs of their Arsenal Jerseys.
Read More …